The Ultimate Frugal Pittsburgh Tourist Guide

A couple of weeks ago I got something up for people who are moving to Pittsburgh. After that post went live, I got a bunch of reader requests for a Pittsburgh Tourist guide. Knowing me, you know it had to include ways to save money! I reached out to some of my fellow Pittsburgh bloggers, and we’ve put together this pretty comprehensive series about all the great things to do when you visit our city. We’ve got so much information, this is going to be a multi-part post series! Check back on Monday for even more ideas of what to do when you come to visit our beautiful city.

The Inclines with Femme

If you’re coming to Pittsburgh, you need to see the inclines of Mt. Washington. There are two of them, and they date back to the 1870s. There used to be 15+, but as the need for this type of transportation up the mountain ebbed, more and more were shut down.

The Monongahela Incline is actually older, dating to the year 1870. It’s the oldest surviving in operation in the country, actually. This one is a bit cheaper to ride, and is regularly used as public transportation by city residents. At the bottom, you can go to Station Square (a shopping center, and, at night, a night life scene,) catch the T (our rail system that runs through the city into the southern suburbs,) or walk across the Smithfield Street Bridge into downtown. At the top is Mt. Washington, a neighborhood that boasts some of the best city views in the world. There are overlooks to take it all in, and a small shopping district on Shiloh Street right at the top. When I say shopping, I mostly mean food. There’s an ice cream shop, bakery, beer/hot dog shop, the Shiloh Grill, Redbeard’s and a couple other places to grab some eats. At night there are a few neighborhood bars, too, mostly all located on this street. If you want to do the inclines on a budget, the Mon Incline is definitely the way to go.

One mile down Grandview Ave., the touristy main drag, there’s the Duquesne Incline. It’s actually a few years younger, built in 1877, but it’s not as widely used as transport. It was in threat of being shut down at one point, so an organization stepped in and maintains it. (Both inclines are National Historic Places.) It’s more of a tourist thing. The bottom empties into a parking lot with a much longer hike to the other end of Station Square. You could walk across the Ft. Pitt Bridge to The Point, but the initial trek along 376 to do so can be treacherous, especially if you have kids in tow. The cost to ride is higher, too.

But you’re rewarded with what I would argue are even better views at the top. After you pass through the gift shop (something the other incline doesn’t have,) turn right on Grandview and walk a block up the hill to the statue of my man George Washington and Guyasuta. You have a head-on view of the city and our three rivers; it’s absolutely breathtaking. There’s also a trail to hike there as it’s a part of Emerald View Park. Other entertainment at the top is really only high-end restaurants. They’re FANTASTIC, are incredibly romantic, and all have out-of-this-world views, but are going to cost you a pretty penny. A good way to save is to go at lunch time. The Coal Hill Steakhouse offers relatively affordable fare at this time (think ~$20-ish a meal.) As far as I’m aware they’re the only one that still offers lunch options. You can’t take kids under six there, though, and kids under ten aren’t allowed on the patio.

Visiting the Point is a great thing to do with first time visitors to Pittsburgh. It’s free and AMAZING! It’s almost like we have a great big geyser in the middle of downtown. You have to see it to believe it. You can grab an ice cream at Dream Cream Ice Cream downtown and walk to the Point. It’s a great way to kill a couple of hours and it’s family friendly!

The Water Steps in the North Shore Riverfront Park: I actually had one of my first dates with my now-husband here! It’s great for a little romantic time, or fun with the kids!

The Point: the gorgeous fountain and its surrounding walking/running/biking trails make for a stunning photo opp, but more importantly, a beautifully relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Rent a kayak or enjoy the green space and a picnic. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed: nestled away from the hustle and bustle, the Point is sure to please everyone!

The water fountain in Station Square dances to music and lights at night, and beckons to visitors during the day. Cool off the mist, grab a bite to eat at one of the many surrounding restaurants and bars, or do some shopping in nearby shops and boutiques.

The great thing about each of these water features is they are all FREE! If you’re visiting on a hot summer’s day, you don’t want to miss Pittsburgh’s water!

PNC Park with Ashley Bergman from Ashley Park Avenue

As a Mom of three boys and currently two months away from my DIY wedding, I am always looking for the best deals, now more than ever! Pittsburgh, unlike most big cities, is one of the most affordable and family friendly around if you are on a budget. Pittsburgh offers free movies in the park, free days at the Carnegie Museums and not to mention the numerous free festivals Pittsburgh has every summer, did someone say Picklefest?

My favorite frugal thing to do is go to PNC Park and see a baseball game. In any other city going to a baseball game could get pricey but in Pittsburgh, if you follow my tips and tricks, you can get away with going to a game on the cheap and score some free stuff! So how do I do it?

The first thing is parking, this is always the most expensive part of my trips to Pirates games, my tip is get to the game early and park in a parking garage for $9-12.

Next is tickets, always look online for deals on tickets sometimes the Pirates offer deals based on how many runs were scored that week. I’ve seen tickets as low as $8 each. I buy my tickets right from the Pirates website and last year since we bought a good number of tickets the Pirates Marketing staff offered us a free private tour of PNC Park which was awesome! We always get the “cheap seats” which are in the bleachers in the outfield but the view is amazing (any seat in PNC Park has a great view) and you get the chance to catch a fly ball or have Starling Marte throw a ball to you. (Femme’s Note: Be sure to check out the Bucaroos Kids’ Club if you have children, too! Tons of freebies in there, including tix!)

Okay so you are parked and have a ticket, but how do you eat on a budget at a ballpark? Go to Bucaroos by the gift shop. It is designed with kids in mind and serves what they call a smaller portion but it’s is pretty much the same size as the more expensive places but at more than half the price as other vendors. The quality is the same and even if you have to get seconds it is still cheaper than anywhere else in the park. My fiance and I got two orders of chicken fries, a slice a pizza, a pretzel, nachos and two small drinks for under $15! The Pirates also sell tickets that include food and drinks as well. (Savings Tip: Dont buy alcohol at a game, that is where the cost starts adding up.)

Now here is my favorite part: the free stuff! At every game there are usually three ways to score free souvenirs and here is how. If you use Twitter and get to the game early you can visit the Social Media Kiosk by the left field escalators, all you have to do is stand in line and Tweet and you get something free, it could be a tote bag, magnet, hat, and autographed baseball or even game tickets! FREE! (Note from Femme: This was a limited-time promotion borrowed from the Penguins.)

The next way to score free swag is to register for a Pirates Rally Pass, also free, you will get a Rally Pass Card and having your card earns you a free spin on the prize wheel, again the prizes range from free tickets to simple things like tote bags and magnets. You can spin for free stuff every time you go to a game and once a month online.

The last way to score free souvenirs is to sign up at booths they have at every game, I got a really nice Pirates drawstring backpack just for signing up for free at a car dealers tent. They sent me one thing in the mail and left me alone. I use my backpack all the time now! You can also go to the games on free shirt Friday (tickets are more expensive these days usually) and you can always save your program too!

Other tips:

Get to the game early and take your own pictures to frame at home and show off, explore the park and river side, enjoy free live music outside of the park

Sundays are Kids Days and kids get to run the bases after the game and they have inflatables for the kids to play on

Always wear layers and bring a poncho or umbrella, Pittsburgh sometimes goes through all four seasons in one game so be prepared.

You beat us to it! That’s one of the tips on Monday. 🙂 My husband did one of those, and he’s lived here his whole life. He learned so much and had such a great time. Well worth the money in his opinion!

Thanks, now I just have to remember to find this post when I visit Pittsburgh. I’ll need a list of the best(not fancy) restaurants to try too. A couple months ago I visited Dubuque, IA and went on their trolley up the hill. I guess it’s the shortest steepest trolley in America. At the top you get a gorgeous view of the city and the Mississippi river. I know Dubuque is much smaller, but I’m a small town boy, seemed like a good size to me :).The inclines of Mt. Washington look taller and longer(looks just as steep to me too). For my job, I’ve worked on Chicago’s Buckingham Fountain a couple of times, It was pretty cool to get an insiders view of everything.

Pin it! That way it’s never lost. 🙂 Hope you can make it out here someday… It’s a great city! They’re pretty darn steep and pretty long, but they’re the only ones I’ve ever been on to be honest. Saw one on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls that appeared to be a lot shorter. But that’s my only perspective on that lol. Smaller cities can be cool, too; many people consider us to be one. Think we’re a bit bigger than Dubuque, though.

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This blog is written for entertainment purposes only. I am not a financial professional in any way shape or form. The information that is found here are my opinions and the opinions of other readers and should not be taken as financial advice. I try to only post about things I think will be helpful to my readers and have experience with, but anything that happens as a result of you using the information provided is your responsibility alone.